SamGrant951

How hard is it to de-chrome wheels? Found a nice set of wheels Id like to scoop up but they are chrome. They dont look half bad and are in REALLY nice shape but Im just not a chrome kind of guy. Do they have to go through some kind of stripping process or would bead blasting then allow a primer/paint or powdercoat to be laid down?

Any help appreciated, thanks guys.

V2Rocket

Sell the chrome ones for a ridiculous amount of money to some blinger and then find the same ones for cheap.

KuHL 951

Personally I would be very careful if they are forged wheels. The problem with not removing the chrome completely is delamination at the intermediate plating beneath the chrome. You might get a decent surface profile on the chrome for painting but don't consider it a long term solution. Chrome on aluminum is not all that durable. Removal of the chrome should be done by a pro shop familiar with forged alloy wheels to prevent embrittlement. Regular cast aluminum isn't as sensitive to de-chroming but it can still be damaged.

SamGrant951

Thanks Steve- Ill probably pass on them then.

Catfood

just rough up the surface with some sand paper and get some powdercoating down

Darwantae951

I'm reviving this old thread. Thinking of buying a set of 17" RUF wheels that are chrome. How hard would it be to return them to the original finish? Any shop recommendations? I'm in Iraq so I don't mind shipping them to a reputable shop to have the work done right. Thanks!

knfeparty

I bought some chrome clubsports for cheap. The chrome is actually de-chroming itself. I use them for my race tires and get made fun of a lot.

So I'd be interested too...

V2Rocket

i imagine sandblasting would take it off

Lemming

I bought 2 chromed fuchs thinking that my friend could sand blast them. After a while he gave up and I just slapped a coat of paint on them. Ok for track wheels, I would not use them for street wheels.